Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 88 & 89 (CD) by Danny Bond (bassoon), Ku Ebbinge (oboe), Lucy van Dael (violin), Wouter Moller (cello), Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century;...

Haydn wrote 104 symphonies throughout his life. The most innovative, accomplished and interesting ones are generally thought to be the later works, from the Paris symphonies onwards. The two symphonies on this recording, Nos. 88 and 89, are often overlooked because they fall in between the Paris and London sets. These are masterworks, nevertheless, in which Haydn's vigor, liveliness and imagination reach a peak. They are coupled with the Sinfonia Concertante, one of Haydn's most expressive symphonic works. These performances are led by conductor Frans Bruggen, who played a prominent part in the period instrument movement in the 1970s, and is now considered one of the foremost experts in the performance of the 18th Century, composed of 60 musicians from 19 different countries.